Zimbabwean betting company faces property seizure for refusing to pay player winnings

The property of Zimbabwean bookmaker company Bezbets has been attached by the Messenger of Court after the company refused to pay a player's winnings, according to the Herald. The incident stems from a roulette bet placed by Prosper Dembedza on the Bezbets online platform in October 2023. Dembedza's bet of $394 resulted in a significant win of $5,400.

However, Bezbets declined to pay out the full amount, claiming a violation of betting rules. Instead, they offered Dembedza a much lower payment of $1,800 as compensation. Dissatisfied with this settlement, Dembedza took the matter to the Harare Magistrates Court in March of this year and emerged victorious.

Magistrate Sharon Mashavira, presiding over the case, ruled that Bezbets must pay the full $5,400 debt owed to Dembedza. 

To enforce the court's decision, Bezbets had various items of property attached, including televisions, chairs, a printer, and a refrigerator. Furthermore, the betting company has been instructed to pay an interest rate of 5% per annum on the owed amount from October 2023 until the date of full payment.